Chute.



No. 696,663. Patented Apr. l, |902.-

vAN wem JUHNSON.

C H U T E (Application filed Nov. 27, 1901 (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I.

No. 696,583. Patented Apr. I,A |902. VAN WERT B. .I0HNS0N-A CHUTE.

(Application filed Nov. 27, 1901.) (nu model.; 3 sheets-'sheet 2.

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(No Model A PPlication led Nov 27 1 3 Sheets-.Sheet 3 Uivrrhn STA-tres Partnr VAN IVERT BAIJDIVIN JOHNSON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

CHUTE.

' SPECIFICATION' forming part 0f Letters Patent NO. 696,683, dated April. l, 1902.`

Application tiled November 27, 1901. Serial No. 83,877. (No model.) l

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, VAN WERT BALDWIN JOHNSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Chute, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to chutes, and while particularly designed for use in transferring coal from cars to wagons or like vehicles it will be apparent that it may be employed for other analogous purposes.

The ordinary method of handling coal is to run the cars containing the same on an elevated trestle or track, then dump the coall into the space beneath, from which it has to be shoveled by hand into wagons or carts. This latter operation is expensive, because of the amount of labor and time necessary; and the primary object of the present invention is to provide apparatus of an exceedingly simple character by means of which coal may be transferred directly from a car to a vehicle without any intermediate handling.

Coal when taken from the cars is 4disposed. of in two ways, either being delivered directly to customers or placed in stock for futuredelivery. In the iirst instance it is immediately screened, while in the second it is not, for the reason that it soon slacks and upon its future delivery must needs be screened again. Therefore another important object of the invention is to provide apparatus for transferring coal which will either screen the same, and thus place it in proper condition 'forimmediate delivery, or willleave it unscreened and in its original state.

'The embodiment of the invention set forth in this application is at present considered most desirable; but the right is reserved to make such changes from the construction shown and described as the scope of the appended claims will permit.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the chute applied to an elevated track. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View through the same. Y Fig. 3 is a cross-section taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4t is a rear elevation of the chute with the screen removed. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the screen and the slack-coal receptacle detached from the body. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a slightly-modified form of construction. Fig. 7 is a plan viewof the screen-chute employed in connection therewith.

Similar n umerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In order to clearlyillustrate the application of the invention, a portion of an elevated track or trestle is shown comprising stringers 10, on which are mounted the usual tracks 11, a platform 12 being located upon the trestle and having an opening 121. The apparatus is suspended from this trestle beneath the platform and is preferably constructed in the following manner:

An inclined body formed of sheet metal or other material and rectangular in cross-section comprises spaced side walls 13, connected at their upper edges by a top 1d, said top and sides being riveted or otherwise secured together. In the form shown in the first tive figures a solid bottom 15 is secured between the side walls and above their lower edges, this bottom being preferably parallel with the top and forming an linclosed chute 16, having its upper and lower ends open. The upper ends of the side walls are provided with outstanding flanges or elbows 17, which are secured to the underside of the platform at the, edges of the opening, and the bottom 15is likewise provided with an outstanding fiange or elbow 1S, which is attached through the medium of a Ybracket 19 to one of the stringers 1Q. The lower end of the body is supported by hanger-braces 20, secured at their lower ends, preferably, though not necessarily, to the top 14E, and at their upper ends to the front Stringer 10. As a result the body is securely supported and braced against movement.

The passage-way through the chtite 16 is preferably controlled by a gate 21, slidably mounted at the lower end of the body in guides 22, that are attached by suitable rivets to the side walls 13. The guides 22 terminate just below the bottom 15, so as to limit the downward movement of the gate. This gate is operated by a hand-lever 23, pivoted at one end to an arm 24, secured to the body and having a handle 25 at its other end. A link ICO 25 is pivotally'connected at one end to the upper portion of the gate and at the other to an intermediate point on the lever, and thus it will be seen that when the lever is raised or lowered the gate will be correspondingly moved.

Below the bottom 15 is secured a screen 26, said screen being mounted in the following manner: The lower edges of the side walls 13 are provided with inwardly-extending guideflanges 27, which constitute supports upon whichthe screen rests, said screen being removable through the lower end 4of the body. It is held in place by a hook 28, formed upon the upper end of a hanger-rod 29, that passes through the upper end of the screen and thedepending end wall of the body. This hanger-rod 29 forms a support for the inner 'end of a slack-coal receptacle in the form' of a table or platform 3l, having upstanding side iianges 32, said table being hinged at its front end to the lower end of the screen 26, its rear end `detachably engaging a hook 33, formed upon the lower end'of the hangerrod. By this construction it will be seen that the space between the bottom 15 and the screen 26 constitutes another chute, which is located beneath and inclined in the same direction as the chute 16, and that said screen forms a bottom for this lower chute. Communication is afforded between the two chutes by an opening 34, located in the upper end of the bottom and arranged to be closed by a gate 35, slidably mounted in guides 36, secured to the under side of said bottom. The gate 35 is operated by means of a hand-lever 37, that passes through slots 38 in the side walls and is pivoted at one end to an outstanding arm 39, while its other end is formed linto a suitable handle 40. A link 41 connects the lever and the gate.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a slightly-modified form of the invention is illustrated, which is substantially as shown in daily use and is proving entirely satisfactory in operation. In this instance the upper chute is in all respects the same, comprising the side walls 13, a top 14, and a bottom 15a, which bottom is located at the lower edges of the side walls. Instead of separate hanger-braces 2O the support at the front end of the body is in the form of a stirrup 20a, made of a strap that surrounds said body and is secured at its upper end to the front Stringer 10. They bottom is provided with the usual opening 34a. The screen-chute (designated 26a) instead of forming a part of the body is entirely separate from the same, but is directly beneath and occupies the same relation as in the above-described construction. It comprises a screen-bottom 26D, having upstanding side walls or anges 26C, thus forming a chute, the upper and lower ends of which are open. The upper end of this chute is provided with hooks 28a, which detachably engage eyes 28h, secured to the rear Stringer 10 directlybeneath the platform ,and the lower end of the screen is adjustably supported by chains 42, secured to the front stringer 10 and arranged to be detachably engaged by hooks 43, located at the lower end ofy the screen.

By this arrangement it will be seen that the screen-chute is as readily detachable as in the first described construction, and, furthermore, its angle of inclination can be changed by engaging the hook 43 at different points of the chain 42. The slack-coal apron receptacle 3l is hinged at its front end to the screen 26a in the usual manner, and its rear end detachably engages a hook 33 of the hangerrod 29a. This illustrates but one modification of the invention, and it will be understood that other changes of construction may be made within the scope of the claims.

The operation of the device will be readily apparent. The car to be unloaded is placed directly above the receiving end of the body,

which constitutes a common mouth for both chutes, and the hopper of said car is opened, so as to permit the discharge of coal into the chute 16, the gates 21 and 35 being first closed. As a result the chute 16 will be illed, whereupon the discharge of coal from the car will be stopped. A wagon is then backed under the discharge end of the body, and if the coal is to be put up in stock the gate 21 is raised by operating the lever 23, thus permitting the coal in anunscreened condition to pass out into the vehicle. After said vehicle is illed the gate is 4again lowered and the discharge of coal consequently stopped. If, however, the coal is to be delivered immediately to customers, the wagon is placed beneath the discharge end of the body, as usual, but instead of raising the gate 2l the gate 36 is slid from beneath the opening 34, thus allowing thecoal to pass into the lower chute and over the screen 26,said coal discharging below the gate 2l into the vehicle. The slack coal, however, will drop through the screen and deposit upon the horizontal receptacle or table 3l, thereby lavoiding any liability of its dropping into the wagon. When it is desired to relieve this receptacle or table of its contents, it is only necessary to place a vehicle beneath it and release its rear end, thus causing it to drop and dump its load. When the screen becomes worn, as it necessarily will in the course of time, it may be readily removed by releasing the hook 28 and replaced by a new one.

By this means it will be seen that asimple and inexpensive structure is provided, which obviates any intermediate handling of the coal, and will screen it or not, as desired. The specific arrangement of the two chutes is especially advantageous where twin trestles are employed, said trestles consisting of two elevated tracks arranged side by side. In such structures it very often happens that one trestle is employed by one party and another by another, and by the present device the entire screening and discharging apparatus is located beneath a single trestle.

From the foregoing it lis thought that the construction, operation, and many advan- IOO IIO

tages of the herein-described invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art with` out further description, and it will be under-` stood that various changes in the size, shape, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. In apparatus of the class described, independent chutes having a common receiving-mouth, one of said chutes having an irn perforate bottom, the bottom of the other being perforate, and separate means for controlling the passage-way through each chute whereby the material may be passed through either chute `and consequently delivered screened or unscreened.

2. In apparatus ofthe class described, independent chutes located one below the other, said chutes having communication with each other contiguous to their upper ends, and means for closing said communication.

3. In apparatus of the class described, independent chutes having a common receiviing-mouth inclinedin the same direction, the bottom of one chute being imperforate and that of the other being perforate, and means for controlling the passage-ways through said chutes so that material may be passed through `either and thereby delivered in screened or unscreened condition. V

4. In apparatus of the class described, independent chutes located one below the other and inclined in the same direction, the bot` vided with a perforate bottom, and means forcontrolling the passage-way through each chute so that material may be passed through either and thereby delivered in screened or unscreened condition.

6. In apparatus ot' theclass described, in dependent chutes located one below the other andinclined in the same direction, said chutes having communication at their upper ends, the bottom of onechnte being imperforate and the bottom of the other being perforate, and means for controlling the passage-way through each chute, so that the material may,

be passed through either and thereby delivered in screened or unscreened condition.

'7. In apparatus of the class described, independent chutes located onebelow the other 8. In apparatus of the class described,.in#

dependent chutes located one below the other and inclined in the same direction, said chutes having communication with each other at their upper ends, thebottom of the upper ch nte being solid and that of the lower being a screen, a slidablymounted gate for closing the communication between the two chutes, anda movable gatefor controlling the 'passage-way through the upper chute.

9. In apparatus of the class described, in-

dependent chutes located one below the other and inclined in the same direction, the upper chute having a solid bottom and the bottom ot' the lower chute being a screen, said chutes having communication with each other at their upper ends, a gate slidablyvmounted on the bottom of the upper chute and movable to close the communication between the two chutes, a hand-lever having a connection with the gate, a gate slidably mounted on the lower end of the upper chute to control the passage-way therethrough, and a lever having a connection with said latter gate to move the same.

l0. In apparatus of the class described, an inclined body having side walls, a bottom secured to said side walls above their lower edges forming thereabove a chute, and a screen detachably secured to the lower edges of said side walls.

ll. In apparatus of the class described, an inclined body having side walls provided along their lower edges with guides, a bottom secured to said side walls above their lower edges and forming a chute, and a screen detachably mounted upon the guides.

12. In apparatus of the class described, an inclined body having side walls provided along their lower edges with inturned supporting-anges, a bottom secured to the Side walls above their lower edges formingachute,

`and a screen detachably mounted upon the supporting-anges.

13. In apparatus of. the class described, an inclined body having side walls, a bottom secured to said side walls above their lower edges and forming a chute, a screen detach ably secured to the lower edges of the side walls, and a slack-coal receptacle mounted below the screen.

14;. In apparatus of the class described,| an inclined body having side walls, a bottomsecured to the side walls above their lower edges forming a chute, a screen detachably secured to the lower edges of the side walls, a slackcoal receptacle having a pivotal connection with the lower end of the body,-and a detachable hanger connecting the body and the vother end of the receptacle;

15. In apparatus of the class described, in-

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dependent chutes located 011e below the other' In testimony that I claim the foregoing as and inclined in the same direction, the botmy own I have hereto affixed my signature in tom of the upper chute being iinperforate the presence of two Witnesses.

and that of the lower having :t screen, the VAN WERT BALDWIN JOHNSON. bottom of the upper chute having an open- Witnesses:

ing at one end to establish communication PHILIP F. LARNER, with the lower chute. B. G. FOSTER. 

